All-American Father

by: Anna DeStefano

Published by: Harlequin Super Romance

Reviewed by M.K. Dancy

In Anna DeStefano's new novel, All-American Father, Derrick Cavanaugh moves himself and his daughters home to San Francisco, expecting that their lives will get easier after his divorce from the girls' mother. Unfortunately, his twelve-year old daughter, Leslie, has a different plan. Derrick takes a phone call that all parents dread while trying to "wow" his new bosses--his daughter has been caught shoplifting.

Fortunately for them, Bailey Greenwood works at the convenience store where Leslie was caught stealing. Bailey knew Derrick when he was the star quarterback at Western High School. That is to say, she had a massive crush on him, and he barely knew she was alive. Bailey uses her influence with the storeowner to arrange for Leslie to work off her debt at the store, rather than pressing charges. Soon though, Derrick realizes that Bailey has built a relationship with Leslie, and he enlists her to try to have some success with Leslie, where he has had none. But, Bailey has her own problems. Even though she had great promise when she was in school, her responsibilities didn't allow her to go to college, and she's now working multiple jobs to keep open the bed and breakfast that has been in her family for years. She and Derrick begin at odds, but slowly they begin to realize their attraction to each other.

DeStefano puts a relatively fresh spin on a tried-and-true romance story. Derrick is a convincing single father who has genuine concerns about his child's welfare after a nasty divorce. Bailey is clearly the "cool" love interest that his oldest daughter begins to admire. Leslie rang less than true for me. She behaved like a brat without any redeeming values throughout the book, even after the hero and heroine had gotten together. Derrick's ex-wife plays her role as the evil villain to the hilt. Despite this, I found myself flying through the book and thinking about it a few days later. The book, while going over a well-known path, provides an entertaining, fun read.

Armchair Interviews says if you're looking for a quick, diverting read, All-American Father provides it.

Author's Web site: http://www.annawrites.com